§ MR. SYDNEY GEDGE (Walsall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Chinese escort sent up with the British Consul from Foochow to inquire into the outrages upon Missionaries at Kucheng plundered the mission premises upon their arrival; whether the Local Authorities have interfered to prevent the presence of the British Consul at the inquiry; and, what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken, or propose to take, to ensure a prompt vindication of justice?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportInquiries have been telegraphed to Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin, with regard to rumours mentioned in first paragraph. He has replied that there was a report that the troops first sent had plundered the missions, but that this had not been confirmed by the Consul himself, nor had he heard anything as to the misconduct of the escort. 802 On learning that the Local Authorities at Kucheng were objecting to the presence of the British Consul at the examination of witnesses, Sir N. O'Conor addressed an immediate remonstrance to the Chinese Government, who forthwith telegraphed orders to the Viceroy to afford the Consul every facility.